Dispensing and game playing machine



June 4, 1935. c. R. DUMBLE 2,003,349

I DISPENSING AND GAME PLAYING MACHINE Filed Nov. 25, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 fiwerlla r' CZ I 07 If. fiwzzZle 5% J wry 4% Jung 4,1935. QR. DUMBLIE 2,003,349.

DISPENSING AND GAME PLAYING MACHINE Filed Nov. 25, 1935 v 7 Sheets-Sheet '2 j K W' v f7weiziar- June 4,- 1935. c. R. DUMBLE I DISPENSING AND GAME PLAYING MACHINE Filed Nov. 25, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 4, 1935. c. RQDUMBLE 2,003,349

DISPENSING AND GAME PLAYING momma 1 Filed Nov. 25, 1933 7 Sheets-Shae; 5

7 a! 0rd flu?) v d i June 1935- c. R. DUMBLE 2,003,349

DISPENSING AND GAME PLAYING MACHINE Filed No v. 25, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 frwerlfar 6! 0715 111p l6 7 5% AIM/7'- June 4,1935. V R, DUMBLE '4 2,003,349

DISPENSING ANDIEAME PLAYING MACHINE Filed Nov. 25, 1935 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 I I 10a I ,zai m V. 270 11; l 114 11g 1 511 .19

" Ewe 7J0) Patented June 4, 1935 UNITED-STATES PATENT OFFICE DISPENSING AND GAME PLAYING MACHINE Clifford R. Dumble, Arlington, Mass, assignor to William B. Spicler, Brookline, Mass.

Application November 25, 1933, Serial No. 699,675

11 Claims. (01. 194 -10) This invention relates to an improved game playing. and dispensing device or machine, and particularly to such a device adapted to receive either coins or playing disks to permit playing of the game and also to vend merchandise when a coin is received. In certain respects, this invention aifords improvements, upon and further developments'of the machine disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 675,719, filed June' vided with trigger devices arranged so that the disk returning mechanism may be operable when a ball is received in each one of the openings of a set. Thus several groups of spaced openings may be provided with definite designations, as

with different colored rings, so that when balls are received, for example, in each of three openings surrounded by red rings, the disk returning mechanism is conditioned so that a given number of playing disks may be returned-to the operator. These playing disks are so shaped and designed that they permit a replaying of the game and preferably may have characteristics permitting them to be readily distinguishable from coins of a.-

7 corresponding size. Preferably different sets of openings have .triggerdevices so associated with the disk returning mechanism that a different number of disks may be returned to the player or operator in response to reception of a ball in each one of the openings of the diiferent respective sets. Thus a group of openings provided with red rings may be arranged so that twoidisks may be returned, another group of openings provided with green rings may be arranged so that four disks are returned, etc.

A further feature of the invention'is the provision of merchandise vending means preferably arranged to permit the dispensing of candy mints when a coin is received in the machine. Thus when a 'coin is inserted in the machine, a definite quantity of merchandise may be dispensed, while the game may also be played and the player may.

enjoy the possibility of so projecting the balls over the playing board that he may receive a plurality eration of a playing disk returning mechanism. Preferably certain sets of the opening are pro of playing disks which will permit repeated playing of the game, although not permitting further dispensing of merchandise. Each time that the game is played, following either the insertion of a coin or a playing disk, the player, if able to pro- 5 ject balls in each of the holes of a given series, may receive a plurality of playing disks-to permit replaying of the game.

In order to enable the operation of the machine with either coins or playing disks and to permit 10 the return only of playing. disks as well as the sale of merchandise in response tothe insertion of coins, selector means preferably is provided to direct a coin to one part of the machine to operate the merchandise vending mechanism and to direct a playing disk to another part of the 'machine from which it may pass through the disk returning mechanism.

Further aspects of tlie invention relate to the structural arrangement and features of the vari- 2Q ous cooperating mechanisms. For example, the merchandise vending mechanism includes a novel arrangement of chains provided with buckets, particularly adapted to support articles of merchandise such as conventional rolls of candy in bottom plan of a portion of the rear part of 35.

the machine;

- Fig. 3 is a cross section of the rear portion of the machine shown in Fig. 2, with related parts also illustrated;

Fig. 4 isa. sectional view of a portion of the 40 assembly shown in Fig. 3, illustrating optional positions of the parts;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the coin or disk receiving and selecting means and related parts, with parts broken away and shownin section, certain parts shown in an optional position by dot and dash lines;

Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of the assembly shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a broken side elevation of the vending mechanism with parts broken away and shown in section; 4

Fig. 8' is asimilar top view of the same;

Fig. 9' is an elevational detail showing optional positizons of certain of ,the parts illustrated in Fig.

Fig. 10 is a top view of the disk returning mechanism with parts shown in section;

Fig. 11 is a top detail view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the assembly shown in .Fig, 10, with parts broken away and shown in section;

Fig. 13 is a. section on line l3-l3 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 14 is a bottom view of a part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 10

Fig. 15 is a vertical section of a portion of the disk returning mechanism;

Fig. 16 is a top view of a portion of the game playing mechanism;

Fig. 17 is an elevational detail of a portion of the coin receiving means;

Fig.'18 is a section on line l8--l8 of Fig. and

Fig. 19 is a wiring diagram with certain of the related parts schematically illustrated.

To facilitate an understanding of this invention, I willfirst generally describe a type of game device to which the principles of this invention may be applied. This machine or device comprises a generally rectangular or box-like cabinet I which may be mounted on any suitable supporting legs (not shown) and may be. provided with an inclined cover 4 including a suitable glass panel so that the movement of balls within the casing may be readily observed. Disposed beneath the glass panel in the upper part of the casing l is a pin board proper, designated by numeral In. This board is provided with a marginal frame adapted to act as a guide for the balls and is slightly inclined upwardly toward the rear so that the balls projected toward the rear wall or curved surface ll normally roll down toward theiront of the machine where they may be received in slots [3. The board I!) is provided with a plurality of openings l4v toreceive' the playing balls. r

. Disposed on the board in various spaced positions as well as in group or rows about or in the vicinity of the openings (are pins l6 against which a ball may strike or bounce, thus being diverted from its original path and adding to the interest and uncertainty of the game. m

At one side of the board III a groove or alley l! is provided along which a ball may be impelled to the playing surface of. the board. A spring l9 mounted on an upright pin or stud-20 at the outlet end of alley I1 is arranged to prevent return movement of a ball from the body portion of the board I!) to the alley. Beneath the pin board I0 is a lower board 30 (Fig. 3) forming the bottom of a ball receiving chamber. Ithus balls passing downwardly through openings M or slots I3 ultimately may pass into this chamber as will be more'full'y explained. From this chamber the balls may roll downwardly into a receiving compartment at the front right-hand corner of the machine. g

A swinging elevator arm 3| (Fig. 16) provides an end flange 32 movable in this receiving compartment to engage a single ball-and elevate the same to the region of a transverse passage or trough 33 through which the ball passes into the alley I1, this general arrangement of therball returning and elevating mechanism being well known and conventional in the art. A handle 29 is provided to actuate the elevator 3| through linkage 34. The balls themselves may conveniently be'formed of metal not susceptible to magnetic attraction, such as aluminum.

A playing plunger 35 provided with an exterior handle extends into the front end of alley l1 and is normally held in the position shown in Fig. 1 by a coil spring (not shown) disposed within a metal casing 36. When the handle of the plunger is pulled, the plunger is retracted to compress the spring so that upon release of the handle the plunger may be returned or snapped back to its normal position under the influence of the spring, thus driving the ball along alley l1, past spring IS, in the direction of the curved abutment surface II. The ball may then roll forwardly over the board Ill normally passing into engagement with certain'pins I6 and perhaps falling into one of the openings l4 or perhaps continuingto the lower front end of the board and being received by one of the slots [3.

A sliding panel 40 (Fig. 3) may be mounted beneath the pin board l0 and be supported by suitable brackets at its edges. A tension spring 42 is normally eifective in holding the panel in a position toward the front of the machine, where it may engage asuitable stop (not shown). In its normal position the panel 40 underlies slots l3 and certain of the openings l4 so that the balls passing into the slots or openings are held in view of the player until a subsequent operation or movement of the panel is effected. In accordance with this invention, special means, which will be more fully described, are associated with the panel 40 and are effective in holding the balls positioned in the remaining openings so that the total number of balls passing into the openings after a given period of play may be readily ascertained. Ordinarily the scores which are counted for rolling the balls in the individual openings are indicated by numbers on the board itself so that the player can readily calculate his score.

Colored circles F may be painted on the board H] to identify the sets of openings which are particularly significant in operating the disk returning mechanism. Thus there may be a plurality of sets of openings thus designated; for example,v

four sets of three openings each are illustrated herein, each set being identifiable by rings of an individual color. v

Now referring in detail to the disk or coin receiving mechanism, it is to be understood that a fixed bracket 5ll-receives a slider 5i, this plate as shown having a circular opening 52 to receive a disk or coin resting on bracket 50. A tension spring 56 (Fig.5) is connected to a transverse bar 51 at the inner end of slider and normally tends to hold the slider in the position illustrated in Fig. 1. This. bar is arranged to engage a depending lug 59 on the sliding panel 40 so that the latter may be slid toward the back of the machine when a coin or disk is inserted in the recess 52 and passesunder the conventional latching mechanism (not shown).

At the rear of the machine (Figs. 2 and 3) are a plurality of fixed magnets D arranged in parallel circuits, as will be more fully described.

mature is moved out of its position beneath support 10 and the latter swings downwardly to break the circuit between leads 14 and 15. When the parts are in this position and panel 40 is moved toward the rear of the machine due to the operation of slider a depending lug or car 80 carried by panel 40 engages a downwardly inclined end portion of member 10 to return the latter and the switch tube C to normal posi- "tion, whereupon the spring 68 may be efiective in moving the locking armature 65 under the opposite end of member 10.

Beneath the openings l4 which are provided with the colored rings F are trigger elements 90 which are in efiect extensions of swinging brackets 9| supporting mercury containing tubes or switch elements 93. These mercury switches are disposed in series between consecutive sections of leads 15. As illustrated, there may be several, as for example three, switches 93 arranged in series in each lead 15. Accordingly when the three switches of one set are closed due to balls received upon the corresponding trigger elements 90, a circuit is closed to permit the operation of the disk returning mechanism in a manner which will be more fully described.

The normal position of a trip or trigger element 90 in relation to the opening I4 is shown in Fig. 3. Disposed beneath the opening is a depending sheet metal'member 92 of substantial U-shaped cross section. The trip 90 carries a continuation in the form of an upstanding stop portion 94 for extending behind the opening between the legs of the hood 92. The position of parts 90and 93, when a ball has been received in the corresponding opening I4, is illustrated in Fig. 4. As shownin full lines in this figure, the member 90 is tipped so that stop 94 engages panel 40, the circuit between lead sections being closed in this position of the parts and the ball being supported in opening l4. It is thus evident that trip elemerts 90 may be effective in holding the balls in the corresponding openings l4 while portions of the panel 40 are effective in supporting the balls in the remaining openings.

After all of the balls have been projected over the board l0 and the player has calculated his score, the slider 5| may again be actuated to move the panel 40 back. Each element 90 then moves rearwardly into the position shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 4, thus permitting the, ball to drop onto the board '30. Accordingly when the panel 40 is slid toward the rear of the machine, it moves the triggers or trips 90 out of the positions wherein they retain the balls in the corresponding openings |4, while it permits the balls to drop, not only from these openings, but also from the remaining openings l4 and from the slots l3.

Thus return of the balls to the elevating and pro- I .iecting instrumentalities is permitted.

The disk or coin receiving mechanism is arrangedto release a disk or coin from recess 52 of slider 5| when the latter moves inwardly sufficiently to slide the panel 40 to the ball releasing position. When the slider 5| is thus being 2.0-

tuated, it engages a movable abutment element 200 (Fig, 5) which is slidably mounted on a fixed rod A cable 203 extends forwardly from the element 200 about an idler pulley 204 supported by a fixed bracket 205 at the front of the machine and to a hub element 205 on a swinging bracket 201. Thus as the slider 5| moves inwardly the transverse bar 51 engages element 200 which pulls cable 203 to cause the bracket 201 to swing beneath the inner end of the slider. The swinging bracket 201 carries an face of the trough 208.

inclined trough-like chute 208 which moves beneath an opening in the slider bracket 50 to receive the coin or disk released from the slider;

A magnet 2|0 is mounted on the swinging support 201 and is connected in series withfla mere cury switch 2| l which is pivotally mounted on a fixed support 2|2. An arm 2|6 projecting from the swinging member 201 is engageable with an extension of the mercury switch support so that the member 201, when. in its normal position, shown in .full lines in Fig. 5, is effective in holding the switch 2|| insuch a position that the circuit of magnet 2|0 is maintained in an open condition. When the swinging support 201 moves to the position, shown in dot and dash lines, beneath the slider 5|,- the switch 2| I moves under the action of a spring 2| 4 to its circuit closing position, thus being effective in causing energization of magnet 2|0. The latter has a pole portion 2|1 (Fig. 18) projecting to the sur- Thus when a playing disk, which may, for example, be made of steel, is inserted in the slider and received from the same by the trough 208, the magnet 2|0'is effective in holding the disk upon the trough. As soon as the slider 5| is released the spring 2|8 associated with bracket 201 is effective in returning the latter and trough 208 to the position shown in full lines. As these parts move to thisposition, the switch 2 is opened by arm 2|6 and magnet 2I0 is deenergized, so that the playing disk is released, whereupon it may slide from the inclined trough into the upstanding disk receiving duct 220..

When a' coin is received from the slider 5|, it falls to the trough 208, but the magnet 2|0 is not effective in holding the coin on the trough, so that the coin slides immediately downwardly to be received by a coin chute 224 before the trough 208 leaves its dot and dash line position. As shown in Figs. 6 and 17, a trip element 226 is mounted at the lower end of the chute 224 and is adapted to be actuated due to the weight of a coin passing downwardly through the chute,

thus permitting the coin to drop from the chute into any suitable coinreceiving receptacle (not shown) while moving a mercury switch element 221 to circuit closing position. A spring 228 is v This mechanism may include suitable sprockets 240 supporting a pair of parallel link chains 2. Extending between corresponding links these chains are substantially semicylindrical buckets 243 conveniently formed of sheet metal. Thus one end of each bucket may be secured as by a rivet to one link of one of the chains I. These buckets preferably are of a size and shape to receive a roll of candy mints. Extending about the end portion of the chain loop and beneath its lower run is a sheet metal retaining element 244 which prevents the articles of merchandise from dropping out of the semicylindrical buckets. A plate 245 is disposed above the lower run of the chain to hold the latter in proper position and to prevent possible upward buckling of the chains and wedging of the mints and buckets. Suitable supporting plates 250 are disposed adjoining the sprockets 240 to support the assembly and to prevent endwise movement Opposite end of member 25] is provided with a depending lug which is engageable with a pivotally mounted abutment element 255 or with a locking wheel 258. A tension spring 256 normally tends to swing the element 255 in an anticlockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 7. Locking wheel 258 is'arranged to rotate with one of the pairs of pulleys supporting the conveyor chain assembly. 'This wheel is provided with a plurality of pins 259 which'are engageable with the element 255.

When the member 25| is swung to portative position, the upper end of member 255 swings in an anti-clockwise direction under the tension of spring 255 until stopped by one of the pins 259 (Fig. '7). In this position of the parts, the end of member 25! is supported by the-member 255 so that the former is mechanically held in its portative position. The handle 260 may then be turned topermit the movement of the chains 24 l' and buckets 243 to supply one of the articles A to an outlet receptacle 26L As the handle 260 is thus moved, a pin 259 engages the member 255 with a cam-like action-(Fig. 9) to cause that member to swing in a clockwise direction against the action of spring 255 so that its upper end moves out of its position beneath the end of the arma ture member 25!. The latter therefore'swings downwardly under the action of spring 252 to engage the periphery of the wheel and to form a stop limiting the movement of member 255 in an anticlockwise direction (Fig. 9). In this position of the parts, 2. lug 263 upon the periphery of the wheel is engageable with the depending end portion of member 251 to prevent turning of handle 260 to a sufiicient extent to allow the dispensing of an additional article A. Thus while the magnet 230 is only energized momentarily in re? sponse to the movement of a coin past the trip 226, such an energization is suflicient to move the armature 25I to portative position, thus permitting the member 255 mechanically to hold the armature out of engagement with the wheel 258.

Accordingly thelatter may be rotated and the bucket chain assembly moved until one of the pins 259 moves the member 255 out of theposi-'- tion wherein it holds the armature in portative position. Thereupon the latter returns into locking engagement with the wheel to prevent further movement thereof.

Adjoining the lower runs of the chains 2, I provide a mercury switch element 270 which is provided with an upwardly extending arm 2' normally engageable with an article A -adjoining the receptacle 25!. Thus as long as articles A remain in the machine, the circuit with which switch element 210 is associated may remain in an open condition. When the last bucket 243 adjoining the receptacle 25| is empty, the arm 2H may swing upwardly so that the member 210 moves to circuit closing position, whereupona suitable transparency may be illuminated to indicate that there are no longer articles of merchandise to be vended.

. The disk receiving duct 220 extends downwardly to the disk returning'mechanism which includes a bracket structure or casting 300 (Figs.

10 and 12) affording a support for a dispensing wheel or disk 30l which is in the form of a circular metal platerotatable about an axial stud 302 projecting upwardly from the support 300. A peripheral portion of the wheel 30! is provided with a series of circular openings 303 each having a diameter substantially conforming to that of the playing disks. The number of openings 303 corresponds to the number of sets of trigger devices 90 which may be actuated to permit operation of the disk return mechanism.

In its normal position the wheel 30l is'disposed so that the nearest opening 303 is out of registration with the lower end of duct 220; accordingly a solid portion of the wheel 30! aiiords a bottom for the duct, and in effect a cylindrical receptacle is provided in which the disks are stacked (Fig. 15). A pinion 305 is mounted to ro-.

tate with the wheel 30 l. A coil spring 301 is fixed to and wrapped about a portion of the hub or sleeve 306 between the wheel and pinion and is connected to a fixed part of the casting 300. Accordingly the spring is normally effective in holding the wheel in the position illustrated in Fig. 10, wherein the openings 303 are out of registration with duct 220.

A rack bar 308 is mounted to reciprocate above the wheel 30! and has a toothed edge portion in meshed engagement with the teeth of pinion 305. An operating plunger 3|0 is provided with an exterior handle 3| I and with an end portion having a shoulder with a collar engaging an upturned extension 3 [2 of the rack bar 308. Thus when the plunger is pushed inwardly, the rack bar, if free to move, may be efiective in causing rotation of the disk or wheel 30! to bring one or more of the disk receiving openings 303 beneath the duct 220. The support 300 affords a surface beneath the openings 303 so that in effect these openings afford moving disk receiving recesses. Preferably the thickness of wheel 30| is so determined that each opening 303 may receive two disks. When the plunger 3l0 is released, the spring 30'! tends to move the wheel 30! to its inoperative position and cause the plunger 3|0 to return to its normal position.

-A portion of the supporting casting 300 provides a chute 3 I 5 with an open upper end adapted to register with the openings 303 as they move away from the duct 220. Thus as one or more of the openings is moved from the region of duct 220 under the action of spring 301, disks are released into the chute 3I5 which has a lower portion provided with a swinging closure 325. The

latter is normally held in the position illustrated in Fig. 12 by a spring 326 but may be swung downwardly by the operator of the machine so that the disks released by the wheel 30! may be received in the hand of the operator.

In order to prevent too rapid movement of the wheel 30I in either direction, an escapement mechanism, shown particularly in Figs. 12 and 14, is associated with the wheel. This escapement mechanism may be of conventional form, including a notched or toothed wheel 32'! rotatable with the wheel 30! and a weighted pallet member 328.

electro-magnets 333 and are normally held 11).

non-portat'ive positon by springs 323 (Fig. 13 Accordingly when one of the electromagnets 333 is energized, the end of the corresponding member 330'is swung upwardly into the path of the rack bar 308 to limit the inward movement of the latter. The arrangement of the members 330 is such that the rack bar may be moved different distances corresponding to the spacing of the openings 303 .to permit the reception of playing disks from duct 220 in one or more of the openings, depending upon which one of the magnets 333 is energized. Each of these magnets is electrically connected to one of thesets of switch tubes 93 associated with triggers 90. As shown in Fig. 13, switch contacts are associated with each member 330 so that a switch 336 may be 'closed when the member 330 moves to portative position. g

The rack bar 308 is provided witha series of ratchet teeth 340, which are engageable with a locking pawl 34! in the form of a swinging armature associated with an electromagnet 343. Teeth 340 are shaped to oppose inward movement of rack bar 308. A spring 339 (Fig; 12) normally presses the pawl 34! toward the teeth 340 to prevent inward movement of the rack bar 308 in response to a push on the plunger 310. In the normal position of pawl 34l, a brass pin 334 carried thereby engages the edge of one of the teeth 340, while the hooked end of the pawl element may normally be separated by a small clearance space from the rack bar, as shown in Fig. 10. This arrangement is advantageous in avoiding the tendency of residual magnetism to oppose movement of the pawl 34! awayfrombar 308 when magnet 343 is energized. The magnet 343' is arranged to be energized in response to closing of all the trigger switches 93 in any one of the sets of these switches and consequent closing of a switch 336, thereupon drawing the pawl 34| out of engagement with the rack bar and permitting the latter to be movable inwardly.

A second set of ratchet teeth 344 are also formed on the edge of the rack bar 308 and are engageable with a pawl 345 mounted to swing on a common pivot with the pawl 3. The teeth 344 and pawl 345 are arranged to permit inward movement of the plunger but to oppose its outward movement. As shown in Fig. 11 the pawl 345 is normally urged inwardly by a light leaf spring 346 and is provided with a pin 34! engageable with the end of pawl 34L Thus when the latter is in its normal position, it is efiective through the pin 34'! in causing pawl 345 to re main out of contact with the rack bar, as shown in Fig. 10.

When the magnet 343 attracts pawl 34! to the position shown in Fig. 11, the pawl 345 is pressed inwardly against the teeth 344 by the spring 346. Accordingly under these conditions the plunger 3H3 may be pushed inwardly to rotate the disk 30! for a fraction of a revolution to permit one or more of the openings 303 to pass under the duct 220. But at this time, due to the positioning of pawl 345 the plunger can not be moved outwardly until it first engages a movable contact of a switch 350 on a stop member 330 at the inner end of its path, the length of this path depending on which of the magnets 333 has been energized. As bar 308 presses the movable contact against a fixed contact on the stop member, the closing of the switch 350 results in the energization of one of the relay magnets D (Fig. 2) at the back of the pin board, thus breaking the circuits through the magnets 333 and 343, as will be more fully described with reference to the wiring diagram. Thereupon the pawl 34| moves into a position to prevent further inward movement of the plunger 3'10 and rack bar 308. Accordingly if the foremost member 330 is moved upwardly into the path of member 308, the plunger may be pressed inwardly only enough to permit the filling of one of the openings 303 with playing disks, while if the rearmost element 330 is moved upwardly, all of the openings may pass under the duct 220 and receive disks.

When the magnet 343 is deenergized, the armature pawl 34| swings to the position illustrated in Fig. 10, moving pawl 345 away from the rack bar so that the latter may then move outwardly under the action of spring 301, thus causing rotation of the wheel 30I in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 10, and moving the opening or openings 303 over the outlet duct 3|5 so that the playing disks pass into this duct.

It is evident that the arrangement of the pawls 34I and 345 prevents repeated reciprocatory movements of the rack bar' before it reaches the end of its path and consequent repeated unauthorized movements of the wheel 30! to permit an opening 303 to be repeatedly moved under the duct 220 and over the outlet chute 3l5. Thus an unjustifiably large number of playing disks can not'be received in response to the movement of element 34| out' of its locking position.

The plunger 3l0 preferably engages the rack bar 308 with a light sliding grip so that should an operation of this type be attempted, the plunger may slide in relation to the rack bar.- Ordinarily it will be observed that a collar on the plunger is effective in engaging'the upturned portion 3l2 of the rack bar to permit the same.

to be pushed inwardly, while the collar engages a fixed part of the casting 300 and in. turn acts as a stop to limit the movement of the rack bar and the wheel 30l under the tension of spring 301. 1

Fig. 19 provides a diagram of the wiring connections and associated instrumentalities which may be employed in a machine of this character. Current may be received from a suitable source of supply such as a battery B disposed in-casing l. The opposite sides of the battery may be connected to leads I00 and ml, respectively. Parallel leads I02 may extend from the lead I00 to one of the switch tubes 93 of each set, which are connected in series by lead sections 15, the last tube 93 of each set being connected through a section 15 to a switch tube C at the rear of the cabinet. From the. element C of each assembly a lead 14 extends to the corresponding magnet 333 of the disk returning mechanism; from magnet 333 a lead 11 extends to the return lead IOI. Thus, when all three switches 93 of one set are closed and the serially connected switch C remains closed, a circuit is provided from the battery B through a magnet 333.

The magnet 343 is connected by a lead 84 to the main lead I00, and a 1ead 85 extending from the opposite side of the magnet has branches 8? connected respectively to the switches 336 which are adapted to be closed when the associated members 330 move to portative position. Switches 336 are connected by leads 86 to the return lead l0l. Accordingly, when a magnet 333 is energized, the corresponding switch 336 completes a' circuit through leads I00 and 84, magnet 343, lead 85, one of the branches 85, the corresponding switch 336, lead 86 and lead I0l. Thus the magnet 343 is energized in response to the energization of any one of the magnets 333. moves pawl 34l fromrack bar 308, permitting Magnet 343, when energized,

the latter to be pushedinwardly to operate the disk returning. mechanism.

When plunger' 3|0 is pushed inwardly the rack bar 308 is efiective in closing one of the switches 350. A lead 88 extends from lead 0| to each switch 350 from which a lead 89 extends to the corresponding magnet D at the rear of the machine; each magnet D is connected to the lead |00. Accordingly when a switch 350 is closed by rack bar 308, the corresponding magnet D is energized to move switch tube C to circuit opening position, thus breaking the circuit through the corresponding magnet 333. Thereupon the corresponding switch 336 is opened due to movement of member 330 to non-portative position. Opening of switch 336 results in deenergization of magnet 343, thus permitting pawls 34| and 345 to return to normal position. Thereupon spring 301 is effective in returning wheel 3M and rack bar 308 to their normal positions.

When a switch C has been opened due to energization of magnet D, it may be closed through engagement of part 80 with the end 10 of support 10, when the panel 40 is slid rearwardly in response to the inward movement of slider 5| upon the insertion of a coin or disk.

As shownin Fig. 19, one side of the magnet 2 l0 of the selector assembly is connected by lead 'is connected to return lead |0|.

I05 to lead I00, its opposite side being connected by lead I06 to control switch 2 and the latter Accordingly when support 20'! moves away from switch 2 a to permit the latter to close, the circuit through .through lead 0 to the main lead |0|.

magnet 2|0 is completed and the latter may then be effective in holding a disk on trough 208 until the switch 2 is opened as bracket 201 and. magnet 2I0 return to their normal positions, whereupon the disk may be discharged into duct 220 and thus pass into the return mechanism.

Switch tube 221 is connected by a lead I08 to main lead I00, and a lead I09 connects the tube to magnet 230 which in turn is connected Accordingly, when a. coin dropping on trip 226 closes switch 221, the circuit through magnet 230 is completed, and the latter draws locking element 25| to portative position, where it is held by member 255 to permit one operation of the vending mechanism.

Switch tube 210 is connected by a lead I I2 with main lead I00 and'by a lead 3 with a warning light L which is arranged to call attention to the fact that the vending mechanism is empty. Light L is connected by a lead 4 to main lead |0|. When part 21| does not contact an article A, switch tube 210 tips to circuit closing position and light L is energized. It is of course to be understood that a circuit arrangement of the type described herein may be employed in conjunction with a tilting control device of the type and in the manner disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 675,719.

The general operation of a machine of this character will now be described, with particular reference to the wiring diagram and with eneral reference to other portions of the mechanism, the operation of individual instrumentalities and assemblies having been previously wardly from the slots l3 in the pin board as well as from the openings I4 which are normally closed by portions of the panel 40 or by the triggers 90. At the same time should aswitch C be open, a member may engage the part In of the corresponding member 10 to return the latter to its normal position, shown in Fig. 3, the latch 65 snapping into a position to support the member 10 and switch C in the position shown in that figure. Thus'if a switch C was previously opened, it will be closed by this operation. The closing of switch C conditions the circuit extending between the corresponding sets oftrigger switches 93 and the magnet 333. When the slider 5| is pushed inwardly in this manner, the member 51 also engages the sliding block 200 which is effective through cable 203 in causing the swinging movement of the selector assembly including the swinging bracket 201, the magnet 2 l0, and the trough 208. Thus the latter is moved beneath the end of the slider 5| when it releases the disk.

Under these conditions the magnet 2|0, although energized, is not effective in retaining the coin on the chute 208 so that the latter directs the coin downwardly into the coin chute 224. The coin drops through this chute and momentarily depresses the trip 226 to close the switch 221, which is effective through leads |08, I09 and H0 in energizing the magnet 230 of the vending mechanism. Thereupon the member 25| is moved out of its locking position into portative position so that'the handle 260 may be operated to advance the conveyor chain one step and deliver an article A to the receptacle 26|, the rotation of the wheel 258 incidental to this delivery of an article to receptacle 26| being effective in moving member 255 out of engagement with thearmature 25| so that the latter is no longer held in portatlve position but it is returned into locking engagement with the wheel 258. i

The elevator handle 29 may then be operated to cause the movement'of one of the balls through the trough 33 into the alley |I, whereupon the operator is ready to start playing. The playing plunger 35 is then pulled toward the operator and released, the spring associated with this handle being efiective in causing the plunger to strike the ball and impel it through the alley |I, past spring l8 onto the playing surface of pin board I0. The ball normally may strike the abutment surface H and then roll downward, striking certain of the pins l6 and then falling into one of the-openings M or passing downwardly to be received by one of the slots |3. The ball may be supported by the panel 40 or by a trigger 90. Thus as successive balls are impelled onto the board, the balls which are received in the openings |4 may be observed and the player or players may calculate the score. The balls may remain in this position until another coin or a playing disk is inserted 'in the machine.

. When a player is successful in causing the balls to rest upon each one of a set of trigger elements 90, each of the corresponding switches 93 is moved to circuit closing position. Since the switch C is already in closed position, current may pass through leads I4 and I5 and switches 93 of the circuit corresponding to the depressed triggers and thence to the magnet 333, which closes switch 336 to energize magnet 343 and release the plunger 3|0. Thereupon the player may push the plunger inwardly to rotate the wheel until the movement of rack bar 308 is limited by one of the armature stops 330 and a switch 350 is closed to energize a magnet D at the rear of the machine, thus to open switch C, deenergizing the magnets 33 and 343. Thereupon the spring 301 is effective in causing the wheel 30! to rotate back to its normal position, emitting disks from one or more of the openings 303 into the chute 3|5, 'from which they may be received by-moving the closure 325 to its open position. The player may then repeat play several times, depending upon the number of playing disks received.

Under conditions of competitive play, two or more players having several playing coins or disks may play this game in turn, each projecting the balls over the pin board l0 and comv puting the scoring values of the openings into adds to the interest and uncertainty of the game.

Should a steel disk be employed to permit playing of the game, the slider 5| .is moved inwardly in the manner already described and is efiective through the bar 51 in causing the movement of the swinging selector assembly so that the chute or trough 208 is located beneath the slider and so that the panel 40 is slidrearwardly to release the balls. Under these conditions the switch 2| I is closed so that the magnet M0 is energized, and since a steel playing disk has been inserted in the machine, this disk falling onto the trough 208-is retained by the magnet. When the slider 5| is released, the spring 56 is efiective in returning it to normal position, the spring 42 moves panel 40 forwardly, and the spring 2I8 is efiective in causing the movement of the swinging assembly back to the position shown in Fig. 5.

,Thereupon the arm 2l6 engages an extension of the support for switch 2| l, causing the latter to move to its open circuit position and deenergizing magnet 2H) so that the playing disk may then slide away from the pole 2H5 and drop into the duct 220.

It is e ident that when a disk is inserted, the balls are returned to a position where they may be lifted to playing position by the elevator 31 so that the game may be played in exactly the same manner as has been described in connection with the insertion of a coin, but that the insertion of a coin also permits the vending mechanism to be operable to deliver an article of merchandise.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A machine of the class described, comprising a casing, a game playing assembly in the easing, a common slide movable to insert a playing disk or coin into the casing and to release the playing assembly for operation when it inserts either a disk or coin, and selector means to direct a disk thus inserted to one part of the machine and a coin to another part of the machine, saidselector means including a swinging assembly movable on insertion of a' coin or disk to receive the coin and direct it in one direction and being arranged to retain a disk until it swings to another position whereupon it automatically releases the disk. I

2. A machine of the class described, comprising a casing, a game playing assembly in the casing, common means to receive a playing coin or disk capable of being magnetically attracted and to release of the playing assembly for operation,

in response to the reception of either a coin or disk, and selector means to direct a coin thus received to one part of the machine and a disk to another part of the machine, said selector means including a movable part arranged to direct a coin to the first-named part of the machine and to magnetically retain a disk while it moves to a position where it releases the disk to the second-named part of the machine.

3. A machine of the class described comprising a casing, means movable upon the insertion of a coin or playing .disk in the casing, game playing mechanism including parts within the casing and an exterior operating handle to permit the manipulation of said parts, said means releasing the manner to return playing disks from the interior of the machine to the operator thereof, said disk returning mechanism including a wheel having a series of openings therethrough, and an exterior operating handle associated with said wheel and adapted to move the same back and forth through a fraction of a revolution, said wheel having a plurality of openings therein arranged to receive playing disks and to move the same over an outlet opening.

4. A machine of the class described comprising a game playing assembly, disk receiving means arranged to release the assembly for operation when a playing disk is inserted in the machine, a plurality of electrical switches arranged to be actuated when the game is played in a certain manner, disk returning mechanism operable in response to actuation of said switches, said mechanism including a manually operable rack bar, a wheel rotatable thereby having a plurality of openings to receive disks, said Wheel being rotatable in one direction through a fraction of a revolution whereby successive openings may receive disks, said wheel being rotatable in the opposite direction to emit the disks into an outlet passage, the extent of angular rotation of the disk determining the number of openings which receive disks and the number of disks that are emitted, a plurality of electromagnets each arranged to be energized in response to actuation of a diiferent combination of said switches, and armatures associated with the magnets and each movable to a position to limit movement of the rack bar and thus determine the number of disks emitted.

5.- A machine of the class described comprising a game playing assembly, disk receiving means arranged to release the assembly for operation when a playing disk is inserted in the machine, a plurality of electrical switches arranged to be actuated when the game is played in a certain manner, disk returning mechanism operable in response to actuation of said switches, said mechanism including a manually operable rack bai', a wheel rotatable thereby having a plurality of openings to receive disks, said wheel being ro- V tatable in one direction through afraction or a revolution whereby successive openings may receive disks, said wheel being rotatable in the opposite direction to emit the disks .into an outlet passage, the extent of angular rotation of the wheel determining the number of openings which receive disks and the number of disks that are emitted, a plurality of electromagnets each arranged to be energized in response to actuation of a different combination of said' switches, armatures associated with the magnets and each movable to a position to limit movement of the rack bar and thus determine the number of disks emitted, and pawl means associated with the rack bar and wheel to prevent movement of the rack bar to and fro except to the, limit of its path as determined by an armature in portative position and then backto its normal position.

6. A machine of the class described comprising a game playingassembly, disk receiving means "arranged to release the assembly for operation when a playing disk is inserted in the machine, a plurality of electrical switches arranged to be actuated when the game is played in a certain manner, disk returning mechanism operable in response to actuation of said switches, said mechanism including a manually operable rack bar, a wheel rotatable thereby having a plurality of openings to receive disks, said wheel being rotate able in one direction through a fraction of a revolution whereby successive openings may receive disks, said wheel being'rotatable in the opposite direction to emit the disks into an outlet passage, the extent of angular rotation of the disk determining the number of openings which receive disks and the number of disks that are emitted, a plurality of electromagnets each arranged to be energized in response to actuation of a different combination of said switches, armatures associated with the magnets and each movable toa position to limit movement of the rack bar and thus determine the number of disks emitted, pawl means associated with the rack bar and wheel to prevent movement of the rack bar to and fro except to limit of its ,path as determined by an armature in portative, position and then back to its normal position, an electromagnet to condition the pawl means, and switch means associated with each of said armatures to control said last-named electromagnets so that the pawl means may permit only inward movement of the rack bar until it reaches the limit of its path and then permit only outward movement thereof.

. 7. A machine of the class described comprising a game playing assembly, disk receiving 'means arranged to release the assembly for operation when a playing disk is inserted in the machine, a plurality of electrical switches arranged to be actuated when the game is played in a certain manner, disk returning mechanism operable in response to actuation of said switches, said mechanism including a manually operable rack bar,

a. wheel rotatable thereby having a plurality of openings to receive disks, said wheel being rotatable in one direction through a fraction of a revolution whereby successive openings may receive disks, said wheel being rotatable in the opposite direction to emit the disks into an outlet passage, the extent of angular rotation of the wheel determining the amount of openings which receive disks and the number of disks that are emitted, a plurality of electro-magnets each arranged to be energized in response to actuation of a different combination of said switches, armaturesassociated with the magnets and each movable to a position to limit movement of the rack barv and thus determine the number of disks emitted, and circuit-opening switches to effect deenergization of said magnets when the rack bar nears the inner limit of its path.

8.-Machine of the class described comprising a game playing assembly, a slider to receive a coin or a disk susceptible to magnetic attraction, said slider being movable upon reception of a coin or disk to release said assembly for operation, selector means movable in response to movement of the slider, said selector means including a part to receive a coin or'disk from the slider and an electromagnet, said part being arranged to direct a coin to a coin receiving portion of the machine and magnetically to retain a disk until the part moves back to a normal position when the slider returns to its normal inoperative position, and means to deenergize the magnet as said part returns to its normal position, whereby the to receive and direct a disk to one part of the casing and to receive and direct a coin to another part of the casing, playing disk-returning means arranged to receive disks thus directed- -by said selector means, a control means for said disk-returning means, said control means being operablein response to playing of the game in a certain manner thus to condition the disk-returning means for operation.

10. A machine of the class described, comprising a normally locked merchandise vending mechanism, a pin board game'including a projector to impel balls over a pin board, a common casing for said mechanism and game, means controllable upon insertion of either a coin or disk to release balls for supply to said projector and thus permit playing of the game, disk-receiving means arranged to receive disks from said first-named means, a release device arranged .to receive a coin from said first-named means and thereupon to unlock said vending mechanism, and a coin-receiving means to which coins are directed by said device.

11 A machine of the class described, comprising a normally locked mechandise vending mechanism, a pin board game including a projector to impel balls over a pin board, a common casing for said mechanism and game, means controllable upon insertion of either a coin or disk to release balls for supply to said projector and thus permit playing of the game, a disk dispensing mechanism arranged to receive disks from said first-namedmeans, a release device arranged to receive a coin from said first-named means and thereupon to unlock said vending mechanism, and a coin-receiving means to which coins are directed by said device, said dispensing mechanism being operable in response to movement of balls to selected openings in the pin board.

' CLIFFORD R. DUMBLE. 

